USMC Physical

[Firehead]

Wraith, depending on the service you want...we don't need infantry rifleman. That is my MOS, and my recruiter was able to find me a spot. However, in the future(a few montsh from now) infantry will be in demand. Arizona is in the process of taking an artillery battalion and transforming it into an infantry battalion.

[yellowmonkey]

If you want to go infantry, you had better be willing to do a crud-load of physical work. Also, you have to consider that when you get out of the USMC and go to get a job, you will have no applicable skills unless you want to do labor.

Look at it this way; you can always sign up for some kind of duty where you can get some action... you don't have to devote your entire time in the service to it, as you would in infantry.

Wraith, you seem to have plenty of time to decide... if I were you I would go down to the recruiting office every month or so and check to see if any infantrymen are on RA (recruiters assistance)... talk to those guys.

P.S. back to physical requirements for the USMC, if you have had asthma at any time after you turned 13 (I think), you are automatically disqualified for almost all military service (unless you can get a waiver).

Check out this link, it had a lot of good info:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/

[azsarge]

Also keep in mind there are waivers if you have a medical condition.

A few things you cannot have are asthma, HIV, or terrible sight or hearing.  

Don't forget to ask about an enlistment bonus!

[IcePlatinumSky]

Question on the hearing? What if you have great hearing, but when you were a kid you had ear tubes put in several times. Also what if you have allergies and take prescription drugs?

[-Wraith-]

Sarge, I talked to the Army recruiter and he told me since I have hypothyroidism, that I wouldn't be able to join. However, the condition has become better over the years and I should be able to join.

Firehead, I don't understand, you don't think there will be a demand for infantry rifleman 3 years from now? I hope so It may sound wierd, but I want to go to "sandland" as sarge calls it.
I already have plans for after, I got that covered
However, Can you give me some insight on what it's like?

[busta_cap]

Sarge, I talked to the Army recruiter and he told me since I have hypothyroidism, that I wouldn't be able to join. However, the condition has become better over the years and I should be able to join.

Firehead, I don't understand, you don't think there will be a demand for infantry rifleman 3 years from now? I hope so It may sound wierd, but I want to go to "sandland" as sarge calls it.
I already have plans for after, I got that covered
However, Can you give me some insight on what it's like?

I don't think he's been to the Sandbox(as they call it)yet....But I have talked to a few friends(vets)from over their. These guys were hardasses before going over,i mean real hardasses, now they're really doscile and quiet all the time.. The stories I have heard from them and my brother in law during the desert storm are pretty f*ed up. The pics were enough to make you puke, hell they did. :?

[-Wraith-]

I meant what being in the Infantry - Rifleman MOS is like. But yea, I've heard some of the stories too but some people come back just fine, I guess it's the person and what they see.

[delta_echo]

Do you really have your heart set on enlisting? If you do, thats your choice. Me personally? I've seen all the facts and am going for a commission. Not only are officers treated and payed better, but they have a college degree to fall back on once they go back into the civilian world. Plus, that extra 4-5 years in college ROTC or the academy helps most people mature to a point where they are better able to lead. Don't get me wrong, though - without the incredible NCO's in all the services, it'd be almost impossible to get anything done! All I'm saying is look at ALL the facts. You already are checking out a few by posting here .

[-Wraith-]

Thanks for the idea delta, but my dad already tried that on me , He said I should do something that would be better for my intelligence. However, ever since I was a kid I've always wanted to be a foot soldier. I'm destined Hopfully I'll make it.

[busta_cap]

Thanks for the idea delta, but my dad already tried that on me , He said I should do something that would be better for my intelligence. However, ever since I was a kid I've always wanted to be a foot soldier. I'm destined Hopfully I'll make it.

And when you get out...you probably won't be able to get many good paying jobs, join the army, get a MOS with some schooling, than change it and become a infantryman. INfact my brother in law was 82nd airborne, and once he got out the Army still payed for his tuition. Now he makes upwards of 100k a year. Go figures. :roll:

[leadmagnet]

I can't think of a more boring way to spend your time in the military than by being in the infantry.

Lead

[yellowmonkey]

Question on the hearing? What if you have great hearing, but when you were a kid you had ear tubes put in several times. Also what if you have allergies and take prescription drugs?

It's all up to the Docs that they send the paperwork off to. You will fill out a medical questionaire and they will mail it to somewhere like Louisiana (If I remember correctly), and in a week or so you will get to know whether or not they have deemed that you are fit for service.

I can't think of a more boring way to spend your time in the military than by being in the infantry.

Lead

For once I agree with lead. From the stories I have heard... unless you are pulling that trigger, you have no life. I guess there's always R&R. Infantry is something completely different than any of the support MOS's you could have. If you are called to be a grunt, great... but you had better be absolutely sure that's what you want, and you had better be sure you can take that kind of life.

[azsarge]

[...]ever since I was a kid I've always wanted to be a foot soldier. I'm destined Hopfully I'll make it.

Let's hope so, because if you don't it means you either have no pulse, or an IQ in the negatives.

Be smart, Fly Army!

[RickEJ6]

Haha well Im doing Army ROTC right now, and Im still fighting the urge to enlist.  From what I have seen/heard/experienced in my 2 years is that the officer side of things, though they may have it a little easier, is more paperwork and planning.  The enlisted guys get all the cool jobs (SF to be more specific) and I know a few guys that were enlisted before they were officers, and even they admit that enlisted life is more fun.  

And I have always wanted to be infantry, nothing else even remotely interests me beside flying a bird.  It may be just me, but I dont see the excitment in any of the other officer branches (we have 16 basic ones to choose from, enlisted guys have MANY more).  

But hey, in the Army, you are either Infantry, or Infantry support.

Rick

[-Wraith-]

Thanks for the idea delta, but my dad already tried that on me , He said I should do something that would be better for my intelligence. However, ever since I was a kid I've always wanted to be a foot soldier. I'm destined Hopfully I'll make it.

And when you get out...you probably won't be able to get many good paying jobs, join the army, get a MOS with some schooling, than change it and become a infantryman. INfact my brother in law was 82nd airborne, and once he got out the Army still payed for his tuition. Now he makes upwards of 100k a year. Go figures. :roll:

Read my other post, I already have plans when I get out.

Sarge, I definitely put that into consideration, but theres just so much pride in the Marines. I can't pass it up
It's a personal goal I made for myself long ago, and I usualy don't stick with things for too long, but the Marines and airsoft are something i'm keeping